Connections: November 14, 2022
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Oh my! What a robust time of year. There is so much to share, so apologies for this note looking like a laundry list! I will give a cursory shout-out here, but please scroll for more details below. Check the bulletin, and a Pine Tree newsletter will come out on November 21st.
SUPPORT THE RUN-OFF!
Join me tomorrow, November 15th at noon in the Fireplace Room to fill out Voter Cards for the Dec. 6th Georgia run-off. Bring your own lunch. Colorful pens provided.
STEWARDSHIP
Please feel out your pledge card ASAP. Your contribution is vital to our financial viability and budgeting. We would love to have all pledges in by Tuesday, November 29th, “Giving Tuesday.”
THANKSGIVING ONLINE SERVICE, 10:00am on November 24!
Scroll down for more info on a special joint Thanksgiving service with St. James and St. Mark AME Zion.
CCSM ADVENT CALENDAR DEVOTIONAL
Sign up HERE to contribute a drawing, a photo, a poem, etc. All ages welcome to share. More info below.
ADVENT TAIZÉ
12/2, join us at CCSM and carpool to Mercy Center for their Taizé service.
12/9, 12/16, 12/23 Taizé service at CCSM at 7:30pm. More info below.
December 11: Cookie Exchange and kids craft table during Coffee Hour while we receive the list of Pick-A-Party parties! (more info below)
Also Plenary Meeting at 12:30pm
Lean into the joy of the season and participate in some way; connecting with others is sell-care and leaves you with a spirit of gratitude.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to be with you during this time of discernment; CCSM is on my list of blessings this year.
Peace,
Rev. Melissa
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Click on the video above for Sunday's worship service, or click HERE for Rev. Melissa's sermon, "Finding the Constant," and a special message from Peter and Gail Held.
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PICK-A-PARTY: We need your parties NOW!
Last Day to Offer a Party: November 27
Party Lists and Cookie Exchange in Kloss Hall: December 11
Pick-A-Party Sunday: January 8, Kloss Hall, 9:45AM
Pick a Parties take place: January – August, 2023
Pick-A-Party is back, carrying on its 20+ year tradition. The success of this beloved fundraiser depends on lots of fun parties and activities being offered by people like you. If you would like to host a party but are not quite sure what type of party, we have ideas HERE. If you need help with a location or would like to partner with someone, please let Sandy, Diane or Michele know (see below.)
The deadline to offer a party is Sunday, November 27th. There's an online form HERE, or you can email/call/or talk to Sandy, Diane or Michele. The sooner the better!
On December 11, the list of parties will be available as part of a cookie exchange in Kloss Hall. (Details forthcoming in the Pine Tree and upcoming Connections and bulletins.) On January 8, Pick-A-Party Sunday, the fun begins when we drop the ribbon in Kloss Hall at 9:45AM. You can go around the room to “pick” and purchase the parties you wish to attend.
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Youth and Family Events
The UCC is hosting a climate justice art contest for all ages! Please click here to learn more or to enter the contest. Deadline: November 30.
Sunday, November 20: 10:30am - 60 Minutes conversation for high school youth led by Mike (he/him) and Sheryl (she/her). Each month, high schoolers choose a discussion topic – this month the focus will be on cultural diversity and immigration (as chosen by the youth last month!). Stay after for lunch and social time with Sheryl (after the sandwich making - see next!).
Sunday, November 27: Thanksgiving Sunday! Please join us for some special treats and gratitude-themed activities.
Sunday, November 27: 11:30am - Youth help make sandwiches for Open Cathedral and earn volunteer hours. (note date correction)
Sunday, December 4: 11:45am Family Advent Play Date! Please let me know if you would like to suggest or organize an activity for families. It could be skating in San Mateo Central Park, making gingerbread nativity scenes, or something else!
Sunday, December 11: Kids craft table during the Pick-A-Party cookie exchange and offering of the party lists
Wednesday, December 21: 7pm - Las Posadas! Youth are invited to participate as readers/with speaking roles or help out with the kids, food, etc. as we gather to walk around the church telling the story of Mary and Joseph looking for a room at the inn. Younger kids—come wear an angel, shepherd, or animal costume and walk around the church as we tell the story of Mary and Joseph looking for a room at the inn. Afterward, we will share a meal together!
Saturday, December 24: special Christmas Eve services at church
Friday, February 24 - Sunday Feb 26 - Mid-winter youth camp in Cambria for those in grades 7-12.
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Volunteer of the Week
Marian Faber
October 24, 1933 - October 14, 2021
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Marian Faber did a lot behind the scenes as a volunteer for CCSM. She might not have wanted to be in this “Spotlight,” but we wanted to remember her posthumously for all of her efforts.
She was a member of the Mask Brigade during the pandemic and made over 700 masks! Marian was also an avid quilter for the Blanketeers for over 15 years. Her quilts were very distinctive in that she loved to use flannel (for a soft texture) and bright colors. She always hand-sewed the bindings. Some of her lap quilts went to the VA Hospital, which she personally delivered.
Marian was also very involved in serving at Memorial receptions over the years. If there was a need, she filled it. CCSM is so much richer because of her dedication to helping. We miss you, Marian!
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Advent Taizé
Start your weekends in a meaningful way on Friday evenings.
In December we will have Advent Taizé services to ground us in the season of love beyond the commercialism that attempts to own the Season.
Fridays, December 9,16, and 23 we will host bilingual Taizé here at CCSM at 7:30pm. Light dessert and beverages after.
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Once again we have the joy of sharing a service with St. James AME Zion, and St. Mark AME Zion in East Palo Alto as well! Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24, at 10:00am.
To join the Thanksgiving morning zoom link, click HERE or type in the info in the invitation at the right.
All are welcome.
"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."
Psalm 107:1
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IT’S TIME TO DECK THE HALLS!
On Friday, November 25 at 2:30 PM in Kloss Hall you are invited to join Liturgical Arts Ministry (LAM) to install CCSM’s bodacious Christmas decorations. It was last year’s highlight and this year is going to include treats, too. There will be no limits on having a jolly good time together. Bring your work gloves. We will be assembling trees, draping and fluffing miles of garland, installing floral arrangements, hanging banners, wreaths, bows and red birds. Whew! Something for all skill levels. We will start in Kloss Hall and move decorations into the Sanctuary.
This is a great way to rev up your holiday spirit! Please RSVP to communi_ks@me.com so I can organize our installation teams. —Kay Harris, coordinator
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Click on the video to hear a Stewardship message from our moderator, Julie Lenden, and our interim senior minister, Rev. Melissa Douaire! |
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FIRST SUNDAYS OF THE MONTH ARE COMMUNION SUNDAYS
If there’s a way you can be in person on the first Sundays of the month, communion is a meaningful time to be together.
If you’re not able to be with us in person, you’re invited to share in communion while online with us from wherever you are; just have some bread and juice ready and you can participate with us that way.
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Pray for Ukraine Every Tuesday at 7:30pm
CCSM held a powerful live Prayer Ritual for Ukraine on March 6th. We have decided to premier this ritual ONLINE every Tuesday until the war ends. We hope you will join us online weekly to continue our prayers and heal our hearts. These are challenging times and this offering is a way to bring our community together and magnify our prayers.
Please share this link with your friends and family so we can extend this offering to as many people as possible.
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225 Tilton Avenue • San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 343-3694
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Scan the QR code above or go to
to make a donation or pledge to CCSM.
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